Are Saltwater Pools Easier To Maintain?

For pool owners or purchasers, one of the biggest questions is whether to get a saltwater pool or a traditional pool. They both come with certain pros and cons, but the question many people ask is: are saltwater pools easier to maintain? If you find yourself asking this question, and you are planning on making your pool purchase decision based on the answer, below is some information to keep in mind when making your investment.

When most people think about saltwater pools, a bunch of different benefits typically come to mind. Lower chlorine levels, water that is gentler on the skin, and water that can even be good for the skin. What is less well known is how much maintenance is required to keep and own a saltwater pool.

Saltwater Pools Have Less Maintenance

Saltwater pools generally require less maintenance than a traditional chlorine pool. While some of the basic cleaning duties are the same, such as skimming debris off the top of the water, applying a vacuum to the bottom, and cleaning the sides at the water line, the maintenance of the water is rather simple, simply add the required salt at the prescribed times.

Some of the latest pool systems are very sophisticated, able to monitor cleanliness automatically and make adjustments to the pool water to ensure that it is always clean. This is a huge bonus for many saltwater pool owners, because it means they can leave town for a couple of weeks in the summer and not have to worry about paying a pool maintenance company to come in and take care of their water for them, or coming back to a grimy pool that they are not going to be able to use.

Drawbacks of Saltwater Pools

While the maintenance requirements are definitely less with a saltwater pool than a traditional pool, there are some other things to keep in mind. Saltwater pools are generally more expensive to install than traditional pools.

Some owners complain that the salt in the water causes damage to other features in the yard. Water that splashes up from the pool into the garden can hurt plants and dissolve soil nutrients. A saltwater pool also relies upon electricity so that it can convert the salt into chlorine. This means that your electricity bill with a saltwater pool is likely to be greater than with a chlorinated pool (depending on how big the pool is and how much you plan on using it).

The bottom line, however, is that a saltwater pool generally requires less maintenance than a traditional chlorine pool. If you are willing to make the investment, and take steps to ensure it does not adversely affect other features in your yard, it might be the best decision you ever make.